VELMA JEAN (VAL) IRVING

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VELMA JEAN (VAL) IRVING Val Irving passed away at the Victoria Hospital on Saturday, January 15, 2005. Val was born in Rodney, ON on December 23, 1924. She was predeceased by her father George Sherman; mother Mary Sherman; step-mother Agnes; brothers, Murray, Roy, Harold; sister-in-law Betty and by her niece Dale Cara. Val is survived by her husband Harold (Bud) Irving; sister Evelyn Fitzgibbons and husband Harry; sisters, Maryann Sherman and Bruce King, Donna Urbantke and husband Peter, Diane Sherman and sister-in-law Eileen Sherman. As well Val is survived by numerous nieces and nephews of the Sherman clan, Shannon, Bob, Guy, George and Mandy, Pamela, Shelley, Valerie and their families; also nephew Douglas Irving; niece Leslie Ann Irving; niece Linda Gair and husband Bruce and family; and two special great nephews, Stephen Cara and Chris Cara and their families. Val and Bud met during the Grey Cup in 1946 when she came to Toronto to meet her sister Evelyn and husband Harry, who was a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Val moved to Winnipeg from London, ON in 1950 and she and Bud were married June 9, 1951. Initially Val worked for Silverwood Dairies and subsequently for the University of Manitoba in the Registrar's Office. For many years Val curled at the Granite Curling Club in the Sunday Mixed League and in the Granite Ladies League where she formed many warm and lasting friendships. Val was a tower of strength to her husband Bud throughout his career firstly as a young struggling lawyer, a football player with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and as a referee in the C.F.L. He will never forget the many times he would return from a trip out west and Val would wash his uniform and bleach and wash the laces to be replaced in his football shoes. Val was a gracious hostess at innumerable Boxing Day receptions and other social functions at her home for their friends and Bud's clients. She was renowned for her culinary skills and even though she maintained she would rather clean her home than cook. Most importantly, Val will be remembered for her unfailing ability to remember important occasions for not only her family but also for friends and for her generosity to those in need. A memorial service will be held to celebrate Val's life at Thomson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 19. A reception to follow. Flowers gratefully declined. If friends so wish, memorial donations may be made to a favourite charity. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 17, 2005